Hyperbolic tower structure

ABSTRACT

A tower structure consisting of a central vertical frame shaft surrounded by an outer structure in the form of a hyperboloid of revolution composed of two sets of intersecting straight linear structural elements arranged to define the hyperboloid, the linear elements being connected at their intersections to the central shaft by horizontal radial bracing members. The outer structure may be formed by successively connecting preassembled sub-assemblies consisting of segments of the linear elements with radial bracing members attached thereto. The central vertical shaft contains means of access to the upper levels, such as stairways, ladders, elevators, and the like, and a plurality of horizontal deck levels are provided within and on top of the tower structure.

Unlted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,922,827

Rosenblatt Dec. 2, 1975 I HYPERBOLIC TOWER STRUCTURE 1963, pages 91 &92.

[76] Inventor: Joel H. Rosenblatt, 12607 Meadowood Drive, Silverv SpringPrimary ExammerPr1ce C. Faw, Jr. Md. 20904 22 Filed: June 1, 1973 [571ABSTRACT [21] APPL No.1366117 A tower structure consisting of a centralvertical frame shaft surrounded by an outer structure 1n the form of ahyperboloid of revolution composed of two [52] U.S. Cl 52/245; 52/80sets of intersecting straight linear structural elements [51] Int. ClE04h 5/12 arrang d to define the hyperboloid, the linear elel l Field ofSearch ments being connected at their intersections to the 655, 73centralshaft by horizontal radial bracing members. The outer structuremay be formed by successively References Cited connecting preassembledsub-assemblies consisting of UNITED STATES PATENTS segments of thelinear elements with radial bracing 3,300,942 1 H967 Horstman 52/80 xmembers attached thereto- The central vertical Shaft 3,603,051 9/1971Lussky 52/245 Contains means of access to the pp levels, Such as3,618,277 11/1971 Waters 52/245 x Stairways, r elevators, and h li and apl 3,648,990 3/1972 Stoker 52/245 X rality of horizontal deck levels areprovided within and on top of the tower structure.

15 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures I ll 2 t US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 10f 9 US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 3 of9 3,922,827

USQPatent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet4 0f9 3,922,827

Sheet 5 of 9 3,922,827

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 6 of9 3,922,827

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 7 of9 3,922,827

US. Patent D662, 1975 sheet sofg 3,922,827

FIG. 1?.

50 1 III: 3

U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 9 of9 3,922,827

HYPERBOLIC TOWER STRUCTURE This invention relates to buildingstructures, and more particularly to an improved tower structure in theform of a hyperboloid of revolution.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved towerstructure which is relatively easy to erect, wherein wind forces andother lateral forces are efficiently resisted by axial forces developedin outer linear structural members, and wherein the outer linearstructural members serve as supporting means as well as bracing meansfor the structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved towerstructure which employs relatively lightweight structural members tomaintain itin erect position and to resist lateral and other forces, thestructural elements employed being relatively expensive, being easy toinstall, and providing a final structure of high strength and pleasingappearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved towerstructure substantially in the form of a hyperboloid of revolutioncomposed of intersecting straight linear structural elements and havinga central vertical shaft portion which may contain means of access tothe various levels of the tower structure, such as stairways, ladders,elevators and the like, the improved tower structure being capable oferection by the use of preassembled sections which are relatively lightand easy to handle and which thereby enable the tower structure to bebuilt economically and without requiring the use of expensive equipment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved towerstructure having high structural rigidity and strength relative to theweight of metal employed in the structure and at the same time providinga highly pleasing esthetic effect so that it improves the generalappearance of the environment in which it is installed A still furtherobject of the invention is to provide an improved tower which isrelatively simple in construction, which is adequately braced towithstand maximum expected wind forces and other types of loading, whichhas a pleasing shape, and which can be quickly and expensively erected.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a typical hyperboloidal tower structureconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the hyperboloid-definingframework of the tower structure of FIG. 1 and illustrating the mannerin which the linear hyperboloid-defining elements are oriented.

FIG. 3 is a developed diagrammatic view of the hyperboloid-definingelements employed in the'tower structure of FIG. 1 and showingintersection points of the structural elements at the various levels ofthe tower structure.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing intersection jointelements along a composite linear structural element forming part of thetower structure of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and showing the differentintersection angles at the various levels of the tower structure.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view substantially showing the intersectionjoint elements of the composite linear structural elements of FIG. 4 andillustrating the variation of the angle between the horizontal radialbrace elements and the intersection segments to which they are connectedat the various levels of the tower structure of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical crosssectional view takenthrough the lower portion of the hyperboloidal tower structure shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 99 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a typicalhyperboloid-defining linear structural segment employed in the towerstructure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the structural segment showninFlG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 1212 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 13--13 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 14--14 of FIG. 6.

Fig 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 1515 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view showingthe details of the connection of a horizontal radial brace member to itsassociated hyperboloid-defining structural segment, such view beingtaken substantially on the line 16-16 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a pair ofpreassembled hyperboloid-defining structural sub-assemblies and showinghow they are interconnected and are connected to the interior verticalshaft structure, illustrating the manner in which connections are madeat three points for each structural sub-assembly in the course oferection of the hyperboloidal tower structure.

Two general types of tower structures have been commonly employed formany years. The free standing tower is essentially a structure in whichall lateral forces are resisted by bending or flexural resistance of thetower shaft. The guyed tower is the alternative form in which the shaftstructure resists all vertical loads, in-

cluding the vertical components of forces in the guys,

and lateral forces are resisted by flexible guys capable of tensionresistance only. Wind forces of a guyed tower induce tension reactionsin the windward guys, and the leeward guys contribute nothing to thesupport of the tower.

In a tower constructed in accordance with the present invention, thehyperbolic arrangement of the bracing system permits the lateral forcesto be resisted in tension in those hyperbolic elements inclined from theground with components in the direction of the wind, while thoseinclined in opposition to the wind are capable of providing support incompression reactions. Thy system, according to the present invention,is therefore braced rather than guyed.

Mathematically, a form of tower such as that proposed herein has beenknown for centuries as the hyperboloid of one sheet, or as thehyperboloid of revolution of one sheet. This form is also one of thefamily of mathemetically defined forms known for centuties as ruledquadric surfaces. This family of mathematical forms is characterized bythe fact that, though the surface is doubly curved in space, it may begenerated by straight lines.

In recent years, the development of the use of a variety of structuresdepending for their stiffness on surface curvature has attractedwidespread interest. These structures have led to the evolution of muchliterature in the field under the generic term thin-shell structures.They have taken their most varied development in moldable materials(concrete, plastics, etc.) which lend themselves to curved surfaceforms.

The development of structures of these types fabricated of structuralsteel has been-more limited due to the essentially linear form in whichsteel members are produced. Shell structures in steel have beendeveloped by applications of line increment approximations of curvedsurfaces (for example, Fullers geodesic dome), and by application of theother doubly curved ruled quadric surfaces which inherently may bedescribed by systems of straight lines the hyperbolic paraboloid roofform. The concept of the present invention extends the shell structureprinciples to a vertical form to provide a ruled quadric surface fromlinear materials and thereby gains the efficiency of a shell structurein a vertical tower form formerly available only to relativelyhorizontal roof structures. The characteristics of high stiffness forminimum materials used, conversion of bending forces to membranestresses, and weight savings, well known in the literature of shelltheory, all become available to the tower form in the present invention.

Towers in the form of continuously-skinned hyperbolas of revolution havepreviously been built (for example, the Seattle Space Needle, coolingtowers for nuclear power plants, and the like). The structure of thepresent invention employs an open lattice form of this shell, uniquelysuited to fabrication from long linear materials (pipe, tubing, bars,rolled or drawn structural shapes, and the like).

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 a tower structure is illustrated,comprising an intersecting network of pipes, each of which is a lineelement of the two sets of line families which define a hyperboloid ofrevolution. The distance between consecutive intersections along eachline element will vary with the choice of number of line elements to beused, the ratio of plan diameter to waistline diameter, and the ratio ofplan diameter to waistline height. As the number of line elements isincreased, the full shell surface is more nearly developed.

As the distance intersections is increased, the length of eachstructural element forming a segment of a line between intersections isincreased, the structural element forming a segment of such a linebecoming susceptible to local column buckling, a phenomenon welldescribed in the literature on structural theory. Resistance to localbuckling of this type can be provided by selecting a structural memberproviding adequate radius of gyration in its section geometry, or byproviding intermediate bracing to reduce its free buckling length. Aswill be presently explained in detail, with reference to FIG. 7, 8 and9, an arrangement of horizontal radial members is employed to providebracing against local buckling tendencies. Also, rigid ring memberscould be employed to provide a similar function. An example of a ringmember so employed is illustrated in FIG. 9. The radial members alsopermit lateral forces from the central shaft structure to be transmittedto the external hyperbolic system.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a typicalobservation tower 20 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The tower 20 is provided with deck areas at several levelsnear its top, for example, the deck structures shown respectively at 21,22 and 23. Access to these deck areas is provided through a centralframed shaft 24 containing both elevators and stairways.

In the typical example illustrated, a substantial amount of structure isrequired for the support of the stairways and guidance of the elevators,and the vertical loading resulting therefrom is carried essentially bythe framing of the central shaft structure, presently to be described,the lateral loads being transmitted to the exterior hyperbolic elements.It is to be noted that in other applications within the concept of thepresent invention, in which the need for vertical traffic volumehandling is not so great (for example, radar-radome support towers orthe like), the vertical loads could be carried by the hyperbolicelements themselves. In the typical embodiment illustrated in thedrawings, the tower 20 is fabricated mainly from steel pipe and rolledstructural steel shapes. Other embodiments within the concept of thepresent invention could be fabricated from other structural materials,including wood, aluminum, a variety of plastic materials with or withoutreinforcements, or the like.

The central vertical structure 24 comprises a vertical frame ofsubstantially rectangular horizontal crosssectional shape which isfabricated from rolled structural steel members comprising verticalrolled steel structural shapes 25 and horizontal rolled shape-beams 26secured together to define the aforesaid vertical central frame. Asshown in FIG. 9, the vertical frame structure includes the internalhorizontal brace members 27 which may comprise rolled steel structuralmembers such as I-beams. The vertical frame structure 24 may be suitablyanchored to a horizontal supporting base slab 28.

The hyperbolic outside framing comprises a first set of inclined linearelements 29 connected at their bottom ends to the base slab 28 atuniformly spaced points 30 circularly arranged concentrically with thevertical axis of the central shaft structure 24 and an equally andoppositely inclined second set of linear elements 31 connected to theslab 28 at the points 30 and intersecting the first-named linearelements 29 at a multiplicity of intersection points 32, at which pointsthe linear elements are connected together in a manner presently to bedescribed, whereby to define a hyperboloid of revolution leadingupwardly to the top deck 23 in the manner shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the topends of the linear elements 29 and 31 are connected together touniformly spaced points 33 at the periphery of the top deck 23. Lateralbracing may be provided, as will be presently described, by radial bracerods connecting the intersections 32 with the central vertical shaftstructure 24 or by the provision of vertically spaced horizontal rigidbrace rings 34 connected to the hyperboloid-defining linear elements 29and 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9.

In a typical embodiment, such as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, thebase connection points 30 may have an angular spacing of relative to thevertical axis of the tower, and the linear elements 29 and 31 may be soinclined as to have vertically projected angles of 22 /2 relative to andon opposite sides of a vertical radial plane passing through thevertical axis of the tower.

FIG. 3 is a theoretical developed view of the hyperboloidal towerstructure defined by the abovementioned linear elements 29 and 31, saidlinear elements being shown as being somewhat sinuous in the theoreticalpresentation of FIG. 3, although in actuality the elements are straight.FIG. 3 illustrates various successive levels spaced vertically on thetower structure, designated respectively from one to nineteen, thelevels from four to sixteen corresponding to the levels of intersectionpoints 32 of the linear elements 29 and 31. Brace rings 34 may beemployed at the levels 2, 3 and 5, and the upper levels 17, 18 and 19corresponding to the levels of the horizontal deck structures 21, 22 and23.

The tower structure is provided with a bottom bracing frameworkcomprising vertical post members 38 anchored to the base slab 28 andrising for a substantial height, the post members 38 being at equalradial distances around the vertical axis of the tower and beinguniformly spaced relative to each other. The top ends of the postmembers 38 are connected to the central shaft structure 24 by upwardlyand inwardly inclined tie bars 39. The top end of each vertical postmember 38 is likewise connected to a pair of outwardly adjacent linearmembers 29 and 31 by horizontal tie bars provided at their outer endswith linearly triangular-shaped frame portions 41 substantially in theform of equilateral triangles, said frame portions 41 being rigidlyconnected to their associated tie bars 40. The triangular portions 41have outer horizontal bar elements 42 at the opposite end portions ofwhich are secured outwardly extending short cylindrical members 43, 43in which are secured respective fastening bolts 44, 44 which are engagedthrough the linear members 31 and 29 and are suitably fastened thereto.See FIG. 12.

The top ends of the vertical post members are further rigidly connectedby horizontal tie bars 45 which are thereby substantially circularlyarranged around the vertical central shaft structure 24, as will beapparent from FIG. 8.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, at levels spaced upwardly along the towerstructure, adjacent pairs of linear members 31 and 29 are similarlyconnected to the central vertical shaft structure 24 by horizontalradially directed tie bar elements 50, similar to the previouslydescribed tie bar elements 40, and provided with the triangular outerconnection frame elements 41, as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, in a typicalembodiment illustrated there are two sets of radial tie bar members andassociated outer connection frame structures located above the bottombracing structure including the verti cal post members 38 and inclinedtie bar elements 39. As shown in FIG. 6, a horizontal rigid circularconnection ring member 34 may be employed at the next connection levelto interconnect the linear members 29 and 31. As above mentioned,additional rigid horizontal ring members 34 may be employed in the samemanner at various other levels of the tower structure.

To facilitate the erection of the tower structure and simplifyfabrication thereof, the linear members are preferably formed fromcombinations of preassembled elements such as those shown in FIGS. 10and 11, the preassembled elements being utilized in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 17. Thus, the segments of the linear members maycomprise main tubular body portions 51 to the opposite sides of whichare rigidly secured aligned flat bar segments 52 and 53 appropriatelyangled in accordance with specific intersections of the linear membersof the tower structure. The aligned flat bar members 52, 53 areapertured, as at 54, to receive fastening bolts and are beveled, as at55, to facilitate their insertion into the open end portions of bodymembers 51 of adjoining preassemblies.

The end portions of the body members 51 are beveled, as shown at 56, andare suitably shaped to conform with the contours of the body members 51adjacent the flat bar elements 52, 53 when segments are joined togetherin the manner illustrated in FIG. 17. Thus, the lower bar elements 52are inserted into the top ends of the subjacent body members 51 and arefastened thereto by bolts 57 extending through apertures 58 whichregister with selected pairs of apertures 54. The upper splice barelements 53 are received in the lower ends of the main body members 51of the next upwardly adjacent sub-assembly to be connected at theintersection. In this manner, the linear elements may be built up fromsub-assemblies such as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 17, and the hyperbolic lattice of the towerstructure may be built from such sub-assemblies.

As shown in FIG. 17, the sub-assembly may include a radially directedtie bar element 60 extending from the intersection toward the centralshaft structure 24 and being adapted to be horizontally secured to saidcentral shaft structure. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16, a suitably inclinedsleeve member 61 may be secured in the body member 51 of thesubassembly, being rigidly secured as by welding, or the like, throughwhich a bolt 62 extends which engages through an annular washer 63welded in the end portion of the associated radial tie bar element 60,the bolt 62 being threadedly engageable with a nut element 64 weldedonto the washer 63. Thus, the associated radial tie bar element 60 maybe secured to the body member 51 of the sub-assembly and will beproperly oriented relative thereto because of the particular orientationof the bolt sleeve element 61 employed in the body member 51. Each tiebar element 60 is provided at its end with a rigidly connected flange 65adapted to receive fastening bolts 66 for securing the tie bar elementto the web 67 of an [beam forming part of the adjacent central shaftstructure. Flanges 65 and fastening bolts 66 may be similarly employedwith the previously described tie bar elements 39 and 50 for connectingthe inner ends of the tie bar elements to the webs 67 of I-beams formingthe adjacent portions of the central shaft structure 24, the connectionsbeing shown in detail in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

As mentioned above, each sub-assembly unit comprises a tubular segment51 with its aligned bar elements 52 and 53 rigidly secured thereto andits appropriate tie bar tubular element 60 secured thereto by a bolt 62in the manner illustrated in FIG. 16. In assembling the tower structure,each subassembly unit, such as the unit designated generally at 70, inFIG. 17, is installed by three-point 'securement; first, at the webportion 67 of the adjacent I-beam element of the central shaftstructure, employing the bolts 66 with the flange element 65 of the tiebar member 60 to secure the flange element 65 to the web 67 in themanner illustrated in FIG. 17; second, by engaging its downwardlyextending bar element 52 in the top end of the tubular member 51 of onesubjacent previously installed assembly and securing the member 52 insaid top end by means of bolts 57, as shown in FIG. 17; and third, bytelescopically engaging the lower end of its tubular member 51 over theupwardly directed bar element 53 of the next adjacent previouslyinstalled sub-assembly and fastening said lower end to the upwardlyextending bar member 53 by means of bolts 57, as is also clearly shownin FIG. 17. Thus, in beginning the erection of the tower, respectivesets of tubular members 29 and 31 are suitably anchored to the base slab28, the tubular members being of length sufficient to extend up to thefourth level shown in FIG. 3, the members being connected together bythe interior framework previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 7,8 and 9, details of which are also shown in FIGS. 12 to 16. From thispoint, the remaining construction may be performed by employing theabove-described subassemblies '70. At the uppermost level, namely, thatshown at No. 19 in FIG. 3, preassembled top members 71 (see FIG. 4) maybe employed having downwardly divergent elements 72, 73 suitablydesigned to interfit with the subjacent installed assemblies 70. The topassemblies 71 are provided with the inwardly directed radial tie barelements 60 like those employed with the previously describedsub-assemblies '70.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in a typical embodiment of a towerconstructed in accordance with the present invention, the top elements72 and 73 converge at an angle of 14, and the angle of convergencybetween the bar elements 52 and main body portions 51 of thesubassemblies below increases downwardly to a maximum of 30 at the waistportion of the tower, the angle of convergency then decreasingdownwardly below said waist portion, the lowermost convergency angleshown, namely, that at the level No. 4 being 16. Similarly, the anglesbetween the radial tie bar members 60 and the planes of the otherelements of the sub-assemblies vary. For example, at the topsub-assemblies 7B, the bottom angle between the tie bar element 60 andthe plane of the members 72, 73 is 76. This angle increases downwardlywith the other sub-assemblies until it reaches a maximum of 90 at thewaist portion of the tower structure, after which the top angledecreases so that it becomes 78 at the lowermost sub-assembly, namely,the sub-assembly at the level No. 4.

Design factors such as those above mentioned may be readily calculatedprior to the erection of the tower, so that the sub-assemblies can beprepared prior to erection and can be then readily installed in thefield.

It will be noted that the sub-assemblies 70 are generally similar indesign except that those employed to align with the linear elements 29will have their radial tie rod element 60 reversed in direction withrespect to the sub-assembly elements employed to align with the linearelements 31. In other words, as shown in FIG. 17, comparing the twoadjacent sub-assemblies 70 shown therein, the lower sub-assembly 70 hasits bar element 53 extending upwardly in a direction to be received inthe lower end of the main segment 51 of the upwardly adjacentsub-assembly 70, extending in the direction of the linear members 31 ofthe structure, whereas the upwardly extending bar element 53 of theupper assembly extends in a direction aligned with the direction of theother structure-defining linear elements 29.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a varietyofalternative means of fabricating the necessary connection details areavailable, the choice being a matter of engineering and constructioneconomics applied to the intended materials of construction and intendederection conditions. The hyperbolic elements may be butt spliced alongtheir lengths and connected at their intersections by bolting, welding,riveting, be screw connections or by being glued, depending on thematerials employed. The intersection connection elements may comprisehub castings, preformed molding, weldments, or may comprise rectangularor circular flat gusset or splice plates to which the intersectingmembers are attached by any of the connection methods mentioned.

In the detailed specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings anddescribed above, the hyperbolic elements 51 are fabricated from steelpipe in pieces substantially equal to the length of two consecutivesegments with an intersection point near its center, at which theassociated radial brace element 60 is attached. Each successive levelmay be erected by connections to the bar elements 53 of the level below,permitting each subassembly including a member 51 and its radial braceelement 60 to have three point of support as it is installed, therebyeliminating the need for secondaryvsup-.

porting means during erection before the connections are finally made.Each successive erectionlevel takes the form of an overlapping latticesimilar to that of a lamella arch roof in'timber construction.

While a specific embodiment of an improved hyperboloidal tower structureand a method of erecting same have been disclosed in the foregoingdescription, it will be understood that various modifications within thespirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the inventionexcept as defined by the'scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1.. A tower structure comprising:

a. the base;

b. two sets of oppositely inclined intersecting circularly arrangedlinear structural elements-on said base extending upwardly therefrom todefine a vertical hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet;

c. central vertical shaft means within said hyperboloid of revolution;

cl. brace means interconnecting said linear elements to resist bucklingthereof including radial horizontal tie rod members connectingintersections of said linear members to said central vertical shaftmeans;

c. said linear structural elements being defined by successivelyconnected segments, said segments having aligned bar elements projectingfrom the intermediate portions of said segments on opposite sidesthereof oriented to interlock with adjacent oppositely inclined segmentsand defining intersections on the linear structural elementstherebetween;

f. means fastening said bar elements to said adjacent segments; and

g. means connecting said radial horizontal tie rod members to saidintersections.

horizontal deck structure secured to the top end portions of said linearstructural elements.

5. The tower structure of claim 1, and flange means on the free ends ofthe tie rod members for connecting said free ends to said centralvertical shaft means.

6. The tower structure of claim 1, and wherein said segments comprisemain tubular body members, said bar elements projecting from oppositesides of the intermediate portions of said tubular body members andbeing receivable in the ends of the main tubular body members of saidadjacent oppositely inclined segments.

7. The tower structure of claim 6, and wherein said tie rod memberscomprise tubular elements provided at their outer ends withbolt-receiving washer means secured therein, and said means connectingsaid tie rod members to said intersections comprises bolts extendingthrough the intermediate portions of the main tubular body members andlockingly engaged with said washer means.

8. The tower structure of claim 7, and wherein the intermediate portionsof the main tubular body members are provided with tubular guide sleevesrigidly secured therethrough for receiving said bolts.

9. A tower structure comprising:

a. a base;

b. two sets of oppositely inclined intersecting circularly arrangedlinear structural elements on said base extending upwardly therefrom todefine a vertical hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet;

c. central vertical shaft means within said hyperboloid of revolution;

d. brace means interconnecting said linear elements to resist bucklingthereof including radial horizontal tie rod members connectingintersections of said linear members to said central vertical shaftmeans;

e. the top ends of the respective sets of linear structural elementsconverging and being connected together at their top intersections; and

f. a deck structure peripherally secured to said top intersections.

10. The tower structure of claim 9, and wherein the bottom ends of therespective sets of linear structural elements converge at said base.

11. The tower structure of claim 9, and wherein said base includesupstanding bottom segments of said oppositely inclined linear structuralelements.

12. The tower structure of claim 11, and rigid bottom brace meansconnecting said bottom segments to said centralvertical shaft means.

13. A tower structure comprising:

a. a base;

b. two sets of oppositely inclined intersecting circularly arrangedlinear structural elements on said base extending upwardly therefrom todefine a vertical hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet;

c. central vertical shaft means within said hyperboloid of revolution;

d. brace means interconnecting said linear elements to resist bucklingthereof, including radial brace members connected between said centralvertical shaft means and said linear elements, said brace members havingtriangular end loop portions. the linear elements being connected toouter corner portions of said triangular end loop portions.

14. The tower structure of claim 13, and wherein the linear structuralelements are defined by successively connected segments.

15. The tower structure of claim 14, wherein said segments haveprojections extending from their intermediate portions jointed tointerlock with adjacent oppositely inclined segments.

1. A tower structure comprising: a. the base; b. two sets of oppositelyinclined intersecting circularly arranged linear structural elements onsaid base extending upwardly therefrom to define a vertical hyperboloidof revoLution of one sheet; c. central vertical shaft means within saidhyperboloid of revolution; d. brace means interconnecting said linearelements to resist buckling thereof including radial horizontal tie rodmembers connecting intersections of said linear members to said centralvertical shaft means;
 3. said linear structural elements being definedby successively connected segments, said segments having aligned barelements projecting from the intermediate portions of said segments onopposite sides thereof oriented to interlock with adjacent oppositelyinclined segments and defining intersections on the linear structuralelements therebetween; f. means fastening said bar elements to saidadjacent segments; and g. means connecting said radial horizontal tierod members to said intersections.
 2. The tower structure of claim 1,and wherein said brace means includes rigid horizontal members connectedto the linear elements at a plurality of vertically spaced levels on thestructure.
 3. said linear structural elements being defined bysuccessively connected segments, said segments having aligned barelements projecting from the intermediate portions of said segments onopposite sides thereof oriented to interlock with adjacent oppositelyinclined segments and defining intersections on the linear structuralelements therebetween; f. means fastening said bar elements to saidadjacent segments; and g. means connecting said radial horizontal tierod members to said intersections.
 3. The tower structure of claim 1,and wherein said brace means includes substantially rigid horizontalcircular ring members connected to the linear elements.
 4. The towerstructure of claim 1, and at least one horizontal deck structure securedto the top end portions of said linear structural elements.
 5. The towerstructure of claim 1, and flange means on the free ends of the tie rodmembers for connecting said free ends to said central vertical shaftmeans.
 6. The tower structure of claim 1, and wherein said segmentscomprise main tubular body members, said bar elements projecting fromopposite sides of the intermediate portions of said tubular body membersand being receivable in the ends of the main tubular body members ofsaid adjacent oppositely inclined segments.
 7. The tower structure ofclaim 6, and wherein said tie rod members comprise tubular elementsprovided at their outer ends with bolt-receiving washer means securedtherein, and said means connecting said tie rod members to saidintersections comprises bolts extending through the intermediateportions of the main tubular body members and lockingly engaged withsaid washer means.
 8. The tower structure of claim 7, and wherein theintermediate portions of the main tubular body members are provided withtubular guide sleeves rigidly secured therethrough for receiving saidbolts.
 9. A tower structure comprising: a. a base; b. two sets ofoppositely inclined intersecting circularly arranged linear structuralelements on said base extending upwardly therefrom to define a verticalhyperboloid of revolution of one sheet; c. central vertical shaft meanswithin said hyperboloid of revolution; d. brace means interconnectingsaid linear elements to resist buckling thereof including radialhorizontal tie rod members connecting intersections of said linearmembers to said central vertical shaft means; e. the top ends of therespective sets of linear structural elements converging and beingconnected together at their top intersections; and f. a deck structureperipherally secured to said top intersections.
 10. The tower structureof claim 9, and wherein the bottom ends of the respective sets of linearstructural elements converge at said base.
 11. The tower structure ofclaim 9, and wherein said base includes upstanding bottom segments ofsaid oppositely inclined linear structural elements.
 12. The towerstructure of claim 11, and rigid bottom brace means connecting saidbottom segments to said central vertical shaft means.
 13. A towerstructure comprising: a. a base; b. two sets of oppositely inclinedintersecting circularly arranged linear structural elements on said baseextending upwardly therefrom to define a vertical hyperboloid ofrevolution of one sheet; c. central vertical shaft means within saidhyperboloid of revolution; d. brace means interconnecting said linearelements to resist buckling thereof, including radIal brace membersconnected between said central vertical shaft means and said linearelements, said brace members having triangular end loop portions. thelinear elements being connected to outer corner portions of saidtriangular end loop portions.
 14. The tower structure of claim 13, andwherein the linear structural elements are defined by successivelyconnected segments.
 15. The tower structure of claim 14, wherein saidsegments have projections extending from their intermediate portionsjointed to interlock with adjacent oppositely inclined segments.